"The Curious Case of Phineas Gage" by Nick Ryan is a wildly entertaining, multi-media theater piece that is currently "in residence" at Syracuse's Red House Arts Center. Vincent J. Cardinal directs.

In "residence" is actually, in this case, more accurate than "now playing" in that the performance troupe Split Knuckle Theatre has been here approximately two weeks workshopping various versions of the play, writing and rewriting, and rehearsing for three performances this weekend at Redhouse.

Working with minimal stage props such as a very serviceable rectangular pipe and curtain, the three actors and an accompanying musician present a one-hour- long, highly entertaining mélange of clever situations, spiced with lyrics and music, all having to do with the life and fate of one Phineas Gage, a mid-19th century, twenty-five year old construction worker in rural Vermont who suffered a terrible work accident, whereby his skull and face had been pierced with a metal bar as the result of an inadvertent explosion.

This real-person case has been the subject of much study and conjecture regarding the effects of traumatic brain injury, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when modern psychology "came into its own".

With that as a launching pad of sorts, this acting group takes this highly-serious subject and uses it (much the same way that Monty Python uses and/or abuses serious subjects) for everything from biting satire to wild, physical shenanigans.

The three characters (all doctors of psychology, of course), nicely garbed in late 19th century finery, comprise the "Midtown Manhattan, Entirely Factual, Historical Re-enactment Society of Medicine." It is through the warped prism of their actions, words, and songs that we learn their version of the life of Phineas Gage.

As the quasi-historical facts unfold, one of the characters assumes the character of Gage, replete with an imbedded iron bar, and the "doctors" attempt to explain the changes in his behavior. Aside from being a subject of study, Gage also suffers ridicule as a side show attraction once the likes of showman P. T. Barnum gets wind of the unusual case.

The actors, in addition to the conferring psychologists, also adroitly play a variety of other roles as a rich variety of musical styles, rhythms and tempos emanate from Lynch's guitar.

The play, part street medicine show and part vaudeville act is able to create comedy and sensibility that is borne out of some kind of scripted chaos that is obviously seasoned with a good share of "in the moment" improvisation.

This highly kinetic spoof provides a good share of excellent singing by the trio as they delve into a variety of interesting, turn-of-the-century style harmonies, along with a plethora of attention-getting devices such as strobe lighting to replicate silent film movement.

Details: Length of Performance: One hour; no intermission.
Attendance: Near-full house on Friday night.
Family Guide: Appropriate for all except young children. Some enactment of violence with loud noises. Teenagers should enjoy the energy.

Split Knuckle Theatre presents "The Curious Case of Phineas Gage" in residency at Redhouse, 201 S. West St., Syracuse from February 27 through March 1. For tickets and information: 315.362.2785 and www.redhouse.org